Tag: Andy Warhol

The Andy Warhol Diaries – Andy Warhol and Pat Hackett

On By Genyc79In Journal2 Comments

This statement may be bold, but there will never be another Andrew Warhola (1928-1987), known to the world as Andy Warhol. The undisputed king of pop art remains an iconic figure, vividly remembered for his bright colored wigs, thin frame, and soft-spoken nature. He seemed to be everywhere and knew everyone and was firmly entrenched in popular social circles. But behind the fame, there was a different Andy, misunderstood and overlooked. Several years before his death, Warhol asked his close friend Pat Hackett to help in transcribing his personal diaries. The pages totaled over twenty thousand but were condensed by Hackett into a final product suitable for publishing. This Kindle version is condensed slightly further but it is still an impressive eight-hundred forty-two pages which cover the years 1976 to 1987. Warhol died on February 22, 1987, following surgery to have his gallbladder removed, which explains the abrupt ending of the diaries. However, there is more than enough material in the book to satisfy Warhol fans.

The book is not a biography at all. Warhol does mention family members but only regarding the day’s diary entry. This is a collection of daily observations about work, friends, the New York City nightlife, and his inner struggles. If you watched the Netflix series ‘The Andy Warhol Diaries’, then this book will feel like closure. I watched the docuseries and thought it was one of the best Netflix has released. Of course, the producers could have added more material because Andy’s life was a non-stop show which reached a heartbreaking conclusion. But surprisingly, in the diaries, Andy himself is not the over-the-top eccentric character you might expect. In fact, those around him steal the show and what Andy recorded is nothing short of wild. His diaries also confirm that the lifestyles of the rich and famous are sometimes out of control.

As the diaries progress, we become familiar with Andy’s social circle which consist of fashion designer Halston (1932-1990) and boyfriend Victor Hugo (1948-1994), author Truman Capote (1924-1984), rockstar Mick and wife Bianca Jagger, fashion columnist Diane Vreeland (1903-1989), Interview editor Bob Colacello, and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. I did notice that Jed Johnson (1948-1996) is rarely mentioned. Johnson’s role as an employee at Warhol’s Union Square office and love interest following the 1968 shooting of Andy by Valerie Solanis (1936-1988) that nearly killed him, naturally gave me the expectation to read more about his life with Warhol. However, that is not the case here. Jed is mentioned but in passing, and the most significant entry is when he moves out of their place in December 1980. Understandably, the end of their relationship was difficult for Warhol and whether he omitted Johnson intentionally or whether Hackett left those pages out at his request I do not know. Jed is discussed extensively in the Netflix docuseries.

Readers will notice that early in the day, the diary entries are mundane but as night falls, and New York City comes to life, the entries heat up as the gang meets up for nights of mayhem with the famed Studio 54 being their home base. The entries are unreal, and yes, there are copious amounts of drugs, alcohol, and debauchery. Frankly, if you know anything about Warhol and his crew, then the diaries are everything you expect. Some are more extreme than others, but each has his or her own set of problems making the narrative more intriguing. Andy’s observations are revealing and humorous. They were stars but as we see, their personal lives were all over the place. Andy’s diaries reveal the human side of people known to the public through a carefully crafted image. The veil is lifted here to reveal their fears, anger, concerns, and moments of reflection. But of all the people he discussed, Victor Hugo stands out as the most outrageous rascal of the bunch. He was an exciting, daring, obscene yet tragic figure whose own story is a discussion for another time.

After Jed moves out, Andy finds himself in a sunken place, but he finds a new crush in Paramount movie executive Jon Gould (1953-1986). There is not much of a story here except for random entries by Andy discussing their phone calls, infrequent times together and where their relationship was going. However, Andy does say that Gould had asked him to be kept out of the diaries, and that may be the explanation for the lack of material. But this results in more confusion about the nature of their relationship which seems to have been asexual. And when Gould becomes the latest victim to a deadly new virus spreading among gay men, the wedge between them began to grow.

As Andy details his daily routine, travels abroad and escapades at night, we also see that he fears the virus originally termed the “gay cancer”. Warhol did not contract the virus himself due to his lack of sexual activity. In fact, in one diary entry, he flatly states that he “does not do anything”. He was idle but the virus was all around him and after Gould’s admission to New York Hospital in 1984 for pneumonia, Andy gave instructions to his housekeeper which are explained in the diary, which highlights his fear of the mysterious virus. While I read of the demise of close friends and famous stars who had contracted HIV, I found myself transported back in time to re-live the shock I had when the news broke of those stories. It was a dark time, and no one who lived through the 1980s will ever forget the shock of HIV and AIDS. Andy was spared HIV, but he had his own health battles which rise to the surface in the book. His notorious gallbladder, which resulted in that fateful surgery in February 1987, was not a sudden illness. There are multiple diary entries in which he discusses the problem and his diet, which was not very friendly towards it. And his alcohol consumption only added fuel to the fire. Warhol was aware of this and pokes fun at himself and acknowledges when he is falling short of where he should be. And despite his fame, endless list of friends and acquaintances, intimacy was missing. Had he lived, would Andy have found true love? We will never know.

These diaries are a roller coaster ride and a trip down memory lane. The book is full of guest appearances and steps back in time to the 1980s art scene where young ambitious creators such as Keith Haring (1958-1990) and Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) were making their names known. Andy talks about both, with strong focus on his relationship with Jean-Michel whose drug use was an issue for many years prior to his sudden death. I did notice the affinity Warhol had for Basquiat’s mother and her island cuisine. Readers interested in the lives of both will enjoy Brad Gooch’s ‘Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring‘ and Phoebe Hoban’s ‘Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art‘. Here they each play a part in Andy’s life, along with the others who compose the cast of characters entrenched in the world of Andy Warhol. Colacello also wrote about his time with Andy in ‘Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Up Close‘. Andy’s notes and comments force us to confront the realities of fame, tragedy, race, creativity, and mortality. Warhol was brilliant at watching and creating, and social media would have been heaven on earth for him. For us older readers, these diaries are the old school version of today’s platforms known as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Andy Warhol was one of a kind. This book is far from short, but if you want to know more about Andy Warhol and the people in his world, this is highly recommended.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002WAUVQ4
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (November 11, 2009)

Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring – Brad Gooch

On By Genyc79In BiographiesLeave a comment

HaringThroughout the years, I have been asked what life was like in New York City during the 1980s. I explain that the city was dangerous, the subway was as bad as it looked in pictures, and the skyline looked vastly different from what we see today. And people were doing their best to survive in the concrete jungle. Despite the rough conditions, there was no time like it and there has not been a time like it since. The 1980s remains a decade like no other. In 1978, a young transplant from Kutztown, Pennsylvania named Keith Haring (1958-1990), made his way east and found a home in the “City That Never Sleeps”. No one knew it at first, but over time, Haring would become a prominent figure in New York City’s artist circles and left a legacy as his creativity came to life. This is his story by author Brad Gooch, who takes us back in time to an era when life moved fast, people partied hard, and a new virus became a ruthless killer.

Prior to reading the book, I did have knowledge of Keith Haring and some parts of his life. Further, he appears in the Netflix docuseries ‘The Andy Warhol Diaries‘ (2022) in archival material. However, that series is about Warhol (1928-1987) himself and a good look into his personal side. There is some debate regarding the diaries which were edited by his close friend Pat Hackett who also appears in the series to give interviews. I noticed that both Haring and Warhol were natives of Pennsylvania. A coincidence for sure, but that might partly explain Haring’s adulation for Warhol as he navigated the art scene. But before we reach Keith’s arrival in New York to study at the School of Visual Arts, we first learn about the family’s life in Kutztown during the late 1950s when Senator Richard Nixon (1913-1994) was gaining popularity as a presidential candidate, and the Republican Harings were all for his election to the presidency. However, Keith shows early signs that he will be the child that is different, and it is not long in the story before he charts his own path, to the consternation of his mother Joan and father Allen. Pennsylvania is a beautiful state, but Keith wanted more in life, and New York City finds itself in the crosshairs. And it is there that his life and New York City history changes.

As Keith settles into his new surroundings in New York City, we follow him as he begins to make friends and explore his artistic side. The pace of the book is steady without feeling rushed at times or slow moving. But as life picks up the pace, so does the story. Haring’s sexuality was no secret to those who knew him or followed him, but the story of how he discovered it and the relationships he had during his lifetime are crucial in understanding his life and the art he created. I once heard someone comment that artists view the world through a different lens. That applies here as Haring struggled with his sexual orientation before embracing his attraction to men. The stories of his partners are also told here, adding a deeply personal side to the story. Juan Dubose (d. 1989) and Juan Rivera (1957-2011) are the love interests who find themselves walking in Haring’s shadow as he travels the globe riding the wave of fame. Both were committed to Haring who comes off at times oblivious to the emotional harm he causes to others. But, at times Haring was at war with himself as he partied into the morning hours and indulged in a steady supply of narcotics. However, it was the 1980s, so no one should be surprised that cocaine was a drug of choice in many circles. By no means was Haring a drug addict, but his creativity sometimes had help.

Following his initial entry into the art scene, his rise moves quickly, and the names we have come to know appear in the book. Besides Warhol, Haring becomes friends with Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Tseng Kwong Chi (1950-1990) who captures Keith’s adventures in photos and a young singer going by the stage name of Madonna. Basquiat appears in the story on a handful of occasions, and I did learn something about his apartment that I did not know previously. Warhol’s appearances in the story are in social settings, typically at a night spot and some journal entries he makes about Keith are provided. I have made a mental note to myself to read Warhol’s diaries as I have had the book for several weeks. During the day, the artists created and brainstormed but at night was when the parties began, and as Haring’s life moves forward, we re-live New York City’s after-dark scene as Manhattan’s gritty and unpredictable landscape becomes a playground for the rich, famous and anyone looking for a fun time. In one place, Keith and his crew party regularly to music mixed by legendary NYC D.J. Larry Levan(1954-1992), whose mix of the Nick Straker Band’s ‘A Little Bit of Jazz‘ will make anyone move their feet. Admittedly, I was surprised to see Levan’s name in the story. To be sure, he is known among the older generation of clubgoers and party animals who once turned Manhattan upside down but to today’s generation, he is unknown. Gooch left no stone unturned. Keith was soaring high, but we know there is a dark side to the rush of fame and NYC underworld. Eventually, his friends become sick, with each showing similar symptoms with sudden physical decline. A storm was brewing, and Keith knew life for all of them would never be the same again.

While New York City’s gay nightlife continued to thrive, three thousand miles away in San Francisco, events would soon unfold that shattered any illusions that America could ignore a new silent killer. Originally called the “gay cancer“, HIV and AIDS changed our way of life. Haring, his lovers and friends are all at elevated risk and as the news from California spreads across the country, it becomes apparent that the virus is far more serious than believed at first. In the Golden City, reporter Randy Shilts (1951-1994) was capturing history which he later turned into the best-selling book ‘And The Band Played On.  I must warn readers that the story takes an emotional turn as Haring’s friends succumb to the disease. Keith is aware of his own mortality and eventually learns that he too has contracted Kaposi’s Sarcoma, an indicator of HIV infection which is later confirmed. At this point it becomes a race against the clock. But before leaving, Haring makes sure to accomplish as much as possible, resulting in a trove of work, murals that have stood the test of time, and trips abroad to experience all that life has to offer. But even he could not outrun fate and his decline towards the end is heart wrenching. And although we know it is coming, it is a life gone too soon as AIDS continued to tear across America. The author did a good job of telling Keith’s story while also addressing the growing AIDS crises.

In his short life, Keith Haring lived a lifetime and left his mark on New York City through his art which can still be viewed today. He found his place in a city contending with financial peril, an understaffed police department, real life scenes from the ‘Death Wish’ films, subway vigilantes, the Italian American Mafia, crack cocaine, and a murder rate through the roof. But that same city was also a hotbed of creativity and inspiration, and a place where “getting lost” could open doors to social networks once unimaginable. If you lived in New York City during Haring’s time or are curious about that unbelievable decade, you must read this book which brings the past to life in vivid detail.

ASIN :‎ B0C3J5T7VT

© Harper Publishing, 2024

Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art – Phoebe Hoban

On By Genyc79In BiographiesLeave a comment

BasquiatIf you look at cover of this book, you will see of deeply concentrated eyes staring back at you and it becomes instantly clear that behind those eyes is a long story yearning to be told.  When I saw this book in my list of recommendations on Amazon, I did not recognize the face. I had heard the name but admittedly, did not know anything about his life.  Those of us who find solace and deep interest in the arts are probably familiar with the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), who in death has earned a place on the list of the best artists from the 1980s. In this stunning biography, author Phoebe Hoban explores Basquiat’s brief and unorthodox life.  And it is a story that is both hard to accept and difficult to ignore.  

One definition for the word tragedy is “a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (such as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror“.  It feels as though the definition could accurately describe Basquiat’s life.  At the time of his death he was twenty-seven and joins the “27 Club” of which Janis Joplin (1943-1970), Jim Morrison (1943-1971) and Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), among others.  His untimely death sent the art world reeling and came the year after the death of his idol and one time mentor, Andy Warhol (1928-1987).  Following his death, interest renewed in his work and today, his paintings can sell for several million dollars or more.  Yet at the time he died, Basquiat had reached rocked bottom as drugs took their toll on his mind and body.   He could not escape fate and his ending is a true tragedy of another young artist gone before his time.  But the question here is just who was Jean-Michel Basquiat?  And how did this young man from Brooklyn become one of the most prominent artists of his time? 

When I learned that Basquiat was a product of my borough, my interest piqued.  New York City has produced some of the greatest personalities across all spectrums and Basquiat is a perfect example. However, he had multiple fronts, one of which was very darka as we learn of in the book.  The foundation for the path his life would take is laid early in the book as Hoban explains Basquiat’s early life with his Haitian father Gerard and Puerto Rican mother Matilde. Life at home is volatile and Basquiat was never able to form the bonds with either parent that are needed through adulthood.  The facts about his life that we learn of in the book are early indications of the recurring theme of his life: masking pain by taking extremes. As the story picks up pace, Basquiat’s journey leads to some unexpected places and art is never far away.  Native New Yorkers will fondly recall the 1980s Village in Manhattan, where artists could be whomever those chose to be and eccentric behavior was treasured ad encouraged. Drugs and art are central theme in Basquiat’s world and remain so throughout the entire book.  Perhaps no one pulled it off as well as Warhol, only rivaled here by Basquiat.  

Of course, love is a part of the story and Basquiat had anything but a normal dating history.  To sum it up, those parts of the book are surreal.  The list of paramours is long and even includes a well-known singer whom some might have guessed would have been Basquiat’s love interest.  Readers should be warned that it is also these parts of the book that are somewhat challenging to read as they reveal a very disturbing side to the late artist who never truly learned what affection and empathy were. But surprisingly, many of the women remained dedicated to him even while on the path to self-destruction.  Some, such as Jennifer Goode, saw the writing on the wall and abandoned ship before the fatal collision.  I wondered as I read, what would have happened had he decided to settle down with one of them? Perhaps he could have saved himself before it was too late.  We will never know for sure, but it is one part of Basquiat’s life that is revealed in the book, showing the artist in a revealing light that leaves more questions than answers.  I am not sure that anyone truly knew him on a deep level.  Trust is a theme in the book and it is reaffirmed in the book several times that he did not trust anyone.  His father’s influence and effect on Basquiat’s life is never far away.  And the two remained at a distance until the day Basquiat died.  

As his fame rises, he draws the attention of those high up in the art world, both on an artistic level and financial level.  Those figures are discussed in the book and even provide statements regarding their time and experiences with Basquiat.  He was far from easy to deal with and what they say shows a young man who never truly grew up.  Mary Boone, a one-time promoter of his work, explained her take: 

“Jean-Michel was a time bomb, and he was going to explode. I knew this when I first took him on,” she admits. “Unlike most of my artists, whether they are still with me or not, like Julian Schnabel, or Eric Fischl, or Ross Bleckner, these are artists I took my time getting to know, and that I felt I would represent for a long time. From the onset with Jean-Michel, it was never like that. I knew this man was like a butterfly. I knew that I would keep my hand open, and he would light on it when he wanted to, and fly away when he wanted to.” 

Great artists walk a very fine line between genius and insanity. For Basquiat, it seemed as if he wanted insanity over anything else.  His hijinks and highly erratic behavior gives rises to questions about his mental state. But we are never really sure if he truly means what he says or if he created a persona that had to be lived up to.  Some people interviewed for the book felt that he was as genuine as one could ask for.  Others saw the dysfunction in him from his childhood and the closest to him knew that he was on a path to destruction and had no desire to change course.  Ironically, in death he achieved the fame that he had not yet quite reached in life, even as a protégé of Andy Warhol.  The story of their first meeting, later and falling out is included in the story, adding another dimension to his life.  To drive home the story, Hoban includes snippets of Warhol’s personal diary, in which Andy is frank about Basquiat and the direction his life is taking. Their relationship came to an end due to an infamous op-ed that gave the impression of Basquiat being Warhol’s sidekick.  However, Warhol’s death did affect him and Hoban relates that: 

“On February 22, 1987, Andy Warhol, who had reluctantly checked into New York Hospital for what should have been a routine emergency gallbladder operation, died. In a sense, so did Basquiat. According to those who knew him best, he never recovered from Warhol’s death.” 

Warhol was not part of the 27 Club but certainly died before his time as well. For Basquiat, it would only push him further down his ill-fated path.  But before then, he would create dozens of paintings that have gone on to achieve world-wide acclaim. 

The world may never see another Jean-Michel Basquiat but in this book, his continues to live on. And had he been able to read this book, I can only imagine what his reaction would be.  It has been said that great artists see life through a different lens. This is certainly true for Basquiat, who marched to the beat of his own drum.  And behind the brilliant artist was  Mr. Hyde ready to come out and embrace the darkest demons any of us could take on.  He loved art but struggled with personal demons and being a black artist in a white artistic world.  His life can serve as an example of the importance of the father and son relationship that guides a boy into manhood.  Gerard Basquiat never had the chance to reach his son but for the fathers that might read this post, this book will show you exactly why your role in the lives of your child or children is extremely important. But I believe you already know that. 

If you are a fan of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this book is a must read. It is not easy to go through at times and he never presents himself as an angel.  He was a man of several faces, each with its own set of issues.  But to accept him is to love him and author Phoebe Hoban shows this brilliantly as she brings him back from the past and to the present.  This book is an excellent account of his hauntingly short and tragic life.   Highly recommended. 

“In Basquiat’s paintings, boys never become men, they become skeletons and skulls. Presence is expressed as absence—whether it’s in the spectral bodies and disembodied skulls he paints or the words he crosses out. Basquiat is obsessed with deconstructing the images and language of his fragmented world. His work is the ultimate expression of a profound sense of “no there there,” a deep hole in the soul.” – Phoebe Hoban

Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up – Bob Colacello

On By Genyc79In Biographies1 Comment

colacelloThose of us who have visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, can testify to its seduction of visitors with a passion for treasured art.  The second floor is home to Campbell’s Soup Cans and Other Works, 1953–1967, a collection of thirty-two pieces by the late Andy Warhol (1928-1987).  February 22 will mark thirty-two years since his untimely death at the age of fifty-eight.  Art students and museum aficionados have long studied his work as the shining example of the Pop Art movement that swept across the United Kingdom and United States during the 1950s.  Warhol undoubtedly became the poster child for the movement with his sleek frame, white wig, large frame glasses and black sweater.  His personal life, carefully hidden from the public, became a mystery to those seeking to know just who is and who was the real Andy Warhol?  Bob Colacello worked for Warhol on their  publication Interview, for twelve years and in this intriguing account of their time together, he reveals the Andy Warhol he knew with all his quirks, ingenuity and fears in life.

The book is not an autobiography and Colacello does not try to assess Warhol’s psyche.  Further, this is Colacello’s story from start to finish but Warhol does play a critical role to the events that transpired in his life for obvious reasons.  From the start, it is apparent that Andy is not the typical boss and writing for Interview will be no easy task.  As Colacello explains, it was usually a test of wills with Andy believing everyone had a hidden story or “problem” and that Colacello should proposition them with the offer of a cover shot and even change his name to “Bob Cola” to sound more appealing.   Their contrasting personalities and those of the other members of what Colacello refers to as the “factory”, created a magazine that grew into a serious contender and in the process, made Warhol’s name synonymous with modern pop art. His successes took him and his staff across several continents and  through endless cities.  Colacello was dutifully by his side along with a dedicated team of collaborators, each of whom would wage their own battles with Warhol over his eccentric behavior and domineering personality.  They all recognized that within their boss was a visionary who straddled the fine line between genius and insanity.

Anyone who decides to read this book, probably has some inkling of who Andy Warhol was.  His carefully crafted public facade, gave off an aura of chic that tabloids found irresistible. But behind the facade was a different person, and Colacello was there to witness those revealing moments when Andy let down his guard.  The anecdotes from Colacello are amusing and in some cases puzzling as Andy’s behavior typically bordered on the surreal. Armed with his tape recorder which he called Sony and hindered by his social awkwardness,  Andy sometimes became a square trying to fit into a circle.  But yet, most could not resist being around him as his name grew in popularity.  That fame resulted in a steady stream of  film stars, foreign dignitaries and politicians giving Interview and Warhol the publicity they constantly needed.  It was an unbelievable ride for the young artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born to immigrant parents from the small region of Ruthenia.  Some of you may be wondering, where on earth is Ruthenia?  It is located in the Carpathian Mountains, sitting between the meeting point of the borders of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Russia.  Sadly, Warhol never addresses his family’s ancestry and often said that “I come from nowhere”.   Perhaps it was just Andy being Andy or was a sign of a deeper inner struggle that manifested itself in his work.   We will never know for sure as Andy took that and many other secrets with him to his grave.

Every story about a famous figure has the proverbial “elephant in the room”.  For Andy, it was sexuality, a theme that was found in many of his works and which fueled his belief that everyone had a juicy sexual secret they were hiding.  As Colacello reveals, Warhol was entranced by gossip and in particular, the sex lives of celebrities. But was this a defense mechanism to deflect from his own love life?   Colacello provides great insight into Andy’s love life or lack of it.  And even with his revelations,  many questions still linger about what type of love life he actually had.  Maybe that was Andy’s plan, to keep everyone guessing, on their toes and confused.  But there are two people who appear in the story and Colacello explains their importance thoroughly and how they affected Andy’s personal life.  One of them, Jed Johnson, tragically perished on TWA Flight 800 in 1996, which exploded shortly after takeoff from New York City’s JFK International Airport.  The flight was bound for Paris and all 230 passengers perished in the accident.  Johnson was with Andy the longest and their relationship provides some clues as to why Warhol behaved as he did.

Towards the latter part of the book, Colacello focuses on his increasing dissatisfaction working for Warhol and the impact upon the lives of his colleagues as a result of their boss’s behavior.  Like a master manipulator, Warhol would push their buttons and then later soothe their egos, dangling them on strings in the process.  Alcohol and drugs became coping mechanisms and flowed freely in their circle that consisted of Hollywood stars, music stars and the famous Studio 54, where Andy became a fixture.  The image that appears as Colacello discusses working conditions at the factory, is one in which Andy keeps his subordinates in check, at odds and never in a position to amass too much influence in affairs.  This system of dysfunction pushed many to brink and over time, nearly all left to escape from Andy’s off-handed and in some cases, callous treatment.  However they remained loyal to him and his legacy, even when they no longer worked for him.  Their commitment to Interview, the factory and Andy’s films, created a bond that could never be broken, not even with his death on February 22, 1987.  Theirs is a story of a family with a broken parent that many of them tried to diagnose and piece back together.  But Andy could never be the same after being shot several times on June 3, 1968.  Valerie Solanas nearly ended his life that day but Andy survived and carried with him the scars from multiple surgeries and a life-long fear of being in public.  His physical condition and paranoia of being attacked again, nearly crippled his social life, resulting in him needed a chaperone for nearly everything.  More often than not, Colacello was assigned this task.  However, the role he assumed gave him a very intimate look into the fractured life of his boss.

The mystery of Andy Warhol will continue for years to come.  I do not believe there is one simple explanation for his life.  Colacello even states that although he was close to Andy, he’s not sure if they were really that close as personal friends.  Andy carefully kept everyone at a guarded distance.  He avoided hospitals and even funerals, including that of his own mother Julia.  His lovers had separate lives and seemed to come and go as they pleased.  Andy threw himself into his work, pressuring all that worked for him to make sacrifices that at times were unrealistic.   We can only assume that his constant drive to work, accumulate gossip with Sony and his prevention of letting anyone become close to him, may have been his way of protecting himself.   Before his death, he said to close friends that he did not want to go into the hospital because you do not come out.  But as his gallbladder became inflamed to the point of possibly rupturing, he was faced with having no other choice but going into the one place that he dreaded.  And tragically, his prediction came true.  But there is far more to Andy’s life and death, covered beautifully by his former employee and star writer.  And fittingly Colacello has given us a very-welcomed portrait of what he calls the holy terror.  Warhol fans will love this book.

ASIN: B00GQAOL8A